Adjustable cut-off for steam pumps



N0. 6|0,975. Patentd SEpLQ, i898. V. H. RUUD.

ADJUSTABLE CUT-UFF FOR STEAM PUMPS.

(Application filed Dec. 16, 1897`) (N0 Model.)

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VERNON Il. ROOD, OF J EANSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THE JEANESVILLE IRONWORKS COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ADJUSTABLE CUT-OFF FO STEAM-PUMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 610,975, dated September 20, 1898. Applicatlonflled December 16, 1897r Serial No. 662,198. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, VERNON H. ROOD, a citizen of the United Statcs`,residing at Jeansville, in the county ofl Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Adjustable Out-Off for Duplex Steam- Pumps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in adjustable cut-off valves, and is intended to form an improvement in that class of cut-off valves when the said cut-off valves are used in connection with a stationary seat instead of riding on the back of main slide-valve.

The present device is primarily intended for use in connection with the engines of duplex steam-pumps- One of the principal features of the present invention is to gradually check the speed of the piston when nearing the end of its stroke in either direction and to prevent the absolute cutting off of the steam by the cut` off valve, so that sufficient live steam may be admitted into the cylinder to start the piston on its return stroke. This is essential in connection with the duplex-acting pumps when it is remembered that in such pumps the cutoff valve is controlled by the movement of the piston operating in the cylinder having the supply of steam thereto governed by the said cut-off valve.

Another important feature is to prevent the pounding of the valves of a pump connected with an engine `provided with my improvement by allowing said valves to seat slowly, while further features are to economize steam in the operation of the pumps and engine and to have the cut-off valves adjust able, so that they may be regulated to suit the speed at which the pumps are to be run.

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the following description.

The improvement is susceptible of various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in Which p A Figure lis a central longitudinal section of an engine for operating a pump. Fig. 2 is a plan View of a portion thereof, the cap-plate of the steam-chest being removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of the adjustable cut-off valves, their rod, and the parts cooperating therewith to effect an adjustment of the two valves comprising the said cut-off.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

It will be understood that when this improvement is applied to the engine of a duplex pump the engine is in duplicate and is coupled in the usual manner with the duplexpump cylindersand' in such a .manner that the main slide-valve of one engine is controlled in its movements by the other engine of the pair, the cut-off valves being operated by the pistons of their respective engines.

The engine, comprising the cylinder l, piston 2, slide-valve 3, and cut-off valves 4 and 4', is of Ordinary construction and operation. The cut-off valves slide upon a partition 5, subdividing the steam-chest into upper and lower compartments, said partition having a port 6, through which the live steamis admitted into the lower compartment from the upper compartment. The live steam is admitted into the upper compartment of the steam-chest by means of a supply-pipe 7. The cut-off valves are positioned with reference tothe port G in partition 5, so as to shut off the steam at the proper moment, thereby providing for the piston being driven the remainder of its stroke by the expansive action of the steam, the parts being so disposed as to utilize the steam and its expansive force to the best possible advantage. p

The inside edges of the cut-olf valves et and 4L have approximately V-shaped notches 9, and these notches constitutecomparatively small openings or passages for the admission of live steam from the upper to the lower compartment of the steam-chest in case the cut-o`\valves shall have traveled so far as to have otherwise closed the port 6, and also assisting materially in starting the piston on IOO its return stroke prior to the operation of the cut-off valves for admitting a full head of steam into the cylinder. These notches,open ings, or passages 9 may be provided in any number and may have any shape desired so long as the effect and result are the samethat is, to insure that the steam shall not he entirely cut off as the piston approaches the end of its stroke and provide a sufficient amount of steam to start the piston on its return stroke.

' In order that the engine and pumps shall travel the full stroke at varying speeds, the cut-off valves are made adjustable and are two in number, separable on a line corresponding with the center line of the port 8 when at mid-travel, each valve having a screw-thread connection with the rod 10. In order that the valves may be separated or brought together, as required, thus giving a longer or shorter admission, the screw-thread connection of one with the rod is right hand and the other left hand. I-Ience upon turning the rod in one direction the valves will be moved apart and upon turning the rod in an opposite direction the valves will be drawn together, thereby providing for the attainment of the end aforesaid. In order that the rod may be turned either to the right or to the left, it is composed of sections, which are joined by a coupling or clutch 11 in such a manner as to provide for the sections moving in unison longitudinally, but admitting of the section coupled to the cut-off valve being turned.

A bracket 12 is secured to the engine, and a hand-wheel 13 has its hub portion journaled in an openin g formed centrally of the bracket and held thereto in any convenient way, and this hand-wheel has a central opening through which operates the rod 10, the latter having a feather-and-spline connection therewith, so that upon turning the hand-wheel in one direction or the other the section of the rod attached to the cut-off valves will rotate therewith and effect the desired adjustment of the cut-off valves, according to the speed at which the engine and pumps are to be run.

It will be understood that what have been described as two cut-off valves 4 and 4' form, in effect, a single but two-part cut-off valve, with a main opening between the parts, the notches 9 leading from said main opening, while said valve parts are adjustable toward and away from each other to vary the size of the opening.

- Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In an engine, the combination of a chest subdivided by a partition into two compartments, a main valve cont-rolling the ports leading to the engine-cylinder, and a cut-oit valve controlling the port in the said partition, said cut-off valve having a main opening and notches in the opposite walls of the opening leading into the latter, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination in an engine, -of a steam-chest having a plate provided with a port, and a cut-off valve with means for reciprocatin g the same over the port, said valve having a main openin g and notches in the body of the Valve to the sides of the main opening and opening thereinto, whereby after the main opening of the valve has passed out of line with the port a limited amount of live steam is admitted to the said port; substantially as described.

3. The combination in an engine, of a steam-chest having a plate provided with a port, and a cut-off valve with means for reciprocating the same over the port, said valve having a main opening and notches in the body of the valve to the sides of the main opening and opening thereinto, said notches decreasing in width from the main opening inwardly, whereby after the main opening of the valve has passed out of line with the port a limited amount of live steam is admitted to the said port; substantially as described.

4. The combination with an engine having a subdivided steam-chest, and having the subdividing partition formed with a port, of two cut-oft valves having notches on inner edges to form openings for the admission of a limited amount of live steam into the main chamber of the chest should the cut-off valves have traveled so far as to have otherwise closed the aforesaid port, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of an engine, two cutoff valves having notches on inside edges, and means for independently and adj ustably connecting the said valves with the rod, su bstantially as described.

6. The combination in an engine, of a steam-chest having a plate provided with a port, a cut-off valve with means for reciprocating the same over the port, said valve being composed of two parts having an opening between them and each valve part being provided on its inner face with a notch opening into the opening between the parts and decreasing in width from the main opening inwardly, whereby after the main opening of the valve has passed out of line with the port a limited amount of live steam is admitted to the said port, said amount decreasing in the continued movement of the valve, and means for adjusting the valve parts toward and away from each other; substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afliXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

VERNON H. ROOD.

Witnesses:

J oHN H. Siccnns, HAROLD H. SIMMs.

IOO

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